We’re halfway there. Twelve games in and 12 to go for the Warriors in one of their most enthralling seasons in their 30-year history.
Many predicted the Warriors to win their maiden wooden spoon, especially after the season-opening loss to the Canberra Raiders, but somehow, they’ve defied the odds to sit third with a 9-3 record.
And the Warriors have the perfect opportunity to kick on in the second half of the season, with eight of their remaining 12 games coming against teams outside the top eight.
After this weekend’s clash against the Sharks, they have a run of six games against bottom eight sides, before facing the table-topping Canterbury Bulldogs, the only time they will play a top four team in the run home.
If you want to be picky, all the Warriors’ losses have been to top four opposition (Raiders twice and Melbourne Storm) and only three wins have come against teams currently in the top eight (Manly Sea Eagles, North Queensland Cowboys and St George Illawarra Dragons).
But you can only play what’s in front of you and Andrew Webster’s side are winning the tight games they were losing last year.
To celebrate the halfway point of the season, we pull out the report card to rate the players for their efforts thus far.
The Warriors have used 25 players this season and to qualify, they must have featured at least three times.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad – 8
Has returned to his best after a mixed bag in 2024. His efforts, particularly against the Roosters and Rabbitohs, proved why Webster has persisted with him at fullback. He ran for over 200m in six games this season, including 300 twice. Effort unmatched. Re-signed in April until the end of the 2027 NRL season.
Taine Tuaupiki – 5
With injuries in the outside backs, Tuaupiki got a steady run of games, albeit eight of them were out of position on the left wing. Had some tough moments, in particular against the Cowboys, but impressed in wins over the Sea Eagles and Brisbane Broncos, where he produced a stunning try assist. Scored two tries for himself before heading back to the reserves.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak - 3
Only played four games since returning from wrist surgery. Appears to still be finding his feet and is lacking confidence on attack and defence. Scored his first try in the win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Here’s hoping for a repeat of 2023 where he scored 21 tries in the second half of the season after missing the first six weeks.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - 7
Safe to say Tuivasa-Sheck is definitely not a centre and his skillset is better suited to the wing. Getting through lots of work despite being limited to six appearances due to a hamstring injury. Has scored five tries and feels like lots of his work goes unnoticed.
Ed Kosi – 4
Has copped plenty of criticism during his time filling in on the wing, but this year, he’s stepped up when called upon. Had limited chances, but scored two tries and played most of the game against the Cowboys with a busted collarbone. Is off contract at the end of the season.
Rocco Berry – 5
Injuries have limited Berry to just four appearances, only playing 80 minutes twice this season. The Warriors are a much better team with him on the field, especially defensively. Just look at the games against the Cowboys and Rabbitohs where he went off injured and they began leaking tries.
Adam Pompey – 6
Somebody who has featured in every match this season and has benefitted from that. Played a combination of centre and wing. Had one costly brain fade in the loss to the Raiders in Auckland, but other than that has been steady. Celebrated his 100th match for the Warriors in win over Broncos.
Ali Leiataua - 6
Been devastating on attack, highlighted in the Warriors’ win over the Roosters. Did pick up an ankle injury and was probably rushed back too early to face the Raiders. A big second half of the season will be on the cards.
Chanel Harris-Tavita - 7
Leading the team in try assists with 10 and has formed a strong halves combination with Luke Metcalf. Been solid defensively and has had his hand in many key moments in matches with the highlight being the try assist to himself, also in the win over the Roosters.
Luke Metcalf – 8
Took a few games to find his feet at halfback but has been flying in recent weeks, which saw him surge to the top of Dally M voting before going behind closed doors. Leading Warriors try-scorer with eight. Had a few games that shouldn’t have been as close due to his goalkicking, but all was forgiven after the golden point penalty goal against the Broncos. Also kicked the game winning penalty goal against the Wests Tigers and field goal against the Dragons. Free to negotiate with other clubs from November 1, so expect the Warriors to try to lock Metcalf down long term.
Te Maire Martin - 3
It feels harsh to fairly judge Martin’s efforts this season, where he has primarily filled out of position in the middle across five games for a combined 92 minutes. Still yet to put pen to paper beyond 2025.
James Fisher-Harris – 7
Missed a decent chunk of action with a pectoral injury, but in his time on the field, it’s evident how important his leadership is, and that will only intensify after the season-ending injury to Mitch Barnett. He doesn’t get the same metres as his predecessor Addin Fonua-Blake but is more reliable defensively, and commands more mana from the squad.
Mitch Barnett - 8
Really stood up in the absence of Fisher-Harris, proving why he was a deserving winner of the Simon Mannering Medal last season. Was immense on both sides of the ball. Sadly an ACL injury has cut his season short. Massive loss for the second half of the season.
Jackson Ford – 7
Found similar form to 2023 where he was one of the Warriors’ most consistent players. Has made a huge impact off the bench and appears to have found a home as a middle forward. His best performance was against the Raiders in Auckland, sadly in a losing effort.
Bunty Afoa – 4
Had a respectable run of performances after virtually going missing at the backend of the last season. Limited chances to impress, but might get more following the injury to Barnett. Off contract at the end of the season.
Wayde Egan – 9
Egan is producing his best spell since joining the Warriors, and has arguably been the best hooker in the NRL this season, in large part to not picking up any injuries, which have plagued him in recent years. A tackling machine and has been looking at running the ball from dummy half more. Should be in the mix for the New South Wales hooker role, but most fans would rather him not get picked.
Marata Niukore – 6
Has been shifted around a few times this season and could be forced into another positional switch after Barnett’s injury. Still has an error or penalty a game in him. But always provides strong carries with the ball and some big hits. Seems to have improved across the season.
Kurt Capewell – 7
Got to captain the side for the first time against the Raiders, showing his leadership qualities and importance to the team. Always puts in lots of effort and his experience is vital for the team. The only aspect which is detrimental to his game is the shocking number of missed tackles per game.
Leka Halasima – 7
Featured in every game this season and produced some magical moments, like his runaway try against Wests Tigers. Always looks threatening with ball in hand. Probably provides better impact coming off the bench. Warriors moved swiftly to re-sign him until the end of the 2029 season.
Demitric Vaimauga – 5
His performances have probably gone unnoticed to an extent due to the form of fellow young forward Halasima. Less chances, but still gets through a large volume of work.
Jacob Laban – 4
Another score which feels harsh, but limited chances this season. Scored his first career try, which proved to be the game winner against the Dolphins.
Dylan Walker – 3
When Walker’s departure was confirmed, there were lots of concerns how the Warriors will fill that void. Those worries have vanished with plenty of players stepping up, making it feel like a lifetime ago since he was here.
Erin Clark – 9
One of those players who has stood up following Walker’s departure is Clark, who has arguably become the buy of the season, not just at the Warriors, but in the NRL. He is thriving with the extra workload and his involvement in every set is amazing, running over 130m in every game and making over 35 tackles in his last six games.
Andrew Webster - 8
Webster deserves plenty of credit for the Warriors’ success in 2025. After his Coach of the Year campaign in 2023, the wheels fell off last year for a number of reasons, which led to plenty of criticism over their inability to close out games and Webster’s stubbornness to persist with certain selections. Those critiques appear to be a thing of the past as things have clicked this season, especially with the injuries the team has faced. There is an eclectic mix of experience and youth, sometimes the attack is flat, but the defence has been world class at times. Considering many expected the Warriors to fail, Webster must be feeling quite smug watching plenty eating humble pie. Sometimes you need to take a step back to move forward.
Contenders for Simon Mannering Medal:
Wayde Egan, Erin Clark, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Luke Metcalf.
Not eligible: Tanner Stowers-Smith (1 game), Sam Healey (1), Tanah Boyd (0), Morgan Harper (0), Tom Ale (0), Freddy Lussick (0)
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
Jackson Ford has the first chance to impress in his co-captain’s injury absence.